Which type of deed provides the least protection to the grantee?

A quitclaim deed provides the least protection to the grantee because it transfers whatever interest the grantor has in the property without making any warranties or guarantees about the title. This means the grantor is not promising that the title is clear or that they even hold any ownership interest in the property. Essentially, the grantee acquires the property “as-is,” and if any title issues arise, the grantee has no recourse against the grantor.

In contrast, a warranty deed offers comprehensive protection as it guarantees that the grantor holds clear title to the property and agrees to defend against any claims. A grant deed also provides certain assurances regarding the title, typically that the grantor has not transferred the property to anyone else and that the property is free of encumbrances. The special warranty deed, while somewhat more limited than a full warranty deed, still provides protections for the time the grantor owned the property.

Thus, among the options, the quitclaim deed clearly stands out as the one that offers the least protection to the grantee, as it does not provide any assurances about the legitimacy of the property title.